Spring Training Discussion

[Bobbob1313]

Just saw a random picture of Carter Capps from ST



Man, he puts so much stress on his elbow with those kind of mechanics. He could absolutely be an elite closer based on stuff, but it's hard to see him staying healthy.

[emkayseven]

that's his super secret fartball

[thatnewguy]

He's looking good for 40.

[The Big Fish]

It's great to have everyone in camp. Won't be long now boys

[Bobbob1313]

Jose set to throw off a mound for the first time today. It's all happening.

[thatnewguy]

Stanton got hit in the leg.

[Miamarlin21]

G's face mask:

[thatnewguy]

First game of the spring is tomorrow against FIU. Get excited. The season is here, boys.
--------------------
Oh and U of Tampa beat the Phillies today.

[emkayseven]

Here's a pic of Giancarlo in action:



from here: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12...sed-first-bats

[marlinsfan24]

The Marlins opened Grapefruit League play on Thursday awash in optimism. Michael Hill, the president of baseball operations, says this team is “unbelievably talented” and has the best outfield in baseball. Owner Jeffrey Loria cites “the incredible combination of players” and “the best chemistry we’ve ever had.” Second baseman Dee Gordon said this roster is comparable in talent to last year’s 94-win Dodgers.

But president David Samson won’t ever forget the last time the Marlins entered a season with such lofty expectations. Those 2012 Marlins flopped, finishing 69-93, and that’s why the team president is speaking more cautiously than most internally.

“I’m very measured in my expectations,” Samson said. “I’m not going to feel the way I did in 2012. Talk is cheap. They’ve got to do it. All our moves don’t mean a thing if we chose the wrong players.

“I’ve had personal experiences winning the offseason. This year is a different approach. Giancarlo [Stanton] and I have talked about that. No talk about how good we are or we’re favorites for this or expected to do this. I want the play to speak for itself.”

So why will this year be different than 2012? General Manager Dan Jennings says the pitching staff is deeper. Loria said the outfield is better. And Mike Dunn, one of only seven holdovers from that 2012 team, said: “On paper, this team blows 2012 out of the water.”

Samson puts it this way: “Going into 2012, everything we did we thought was right and it turns out everything we did was wrong. I think what we’re doing now is right. My hope is that the chemistry and the culture change that have taken place will make this year completely different.”

Don’t underestimate that culture issue. Dunn has told us some former Marlins were more concerned about themselves than the team and it had a negative effect. The Marlins made it a point to add players with good clubhouse reputations.

“Martin Prado is one of the greatest teammates; I can’t say enough good things about him,” Dunn said. “Mike Morse is a great teammate from what I’ve heard.”

Nationally, bettors are responding. MGM Grand and 11 other Nevada casinos have changed the odds of the Marlins winning the World Series from 40 to 1 to 30 to 1 and now 25 to 1 in response to a “lot” of people betting on the Marlins at those higher odds. The Marlins are still middle of the pack in odds; Washington has the shortest odds (5 to 1).

Among those especially high on the Marlins is the television voice of the World Series, Fox announcer Joe Buck.

A couple of months ago, Buck named Marlins’ owner Jeffrey Loria when asked by Sports Illustrated Richard Deitsch who would be the most fascinating person in sports in 2015, calling Loria “a quirky art dealer who really does love the game and his players will emerge with the last laugh after the failed try in 2012.”

I asked Buck to expand on why he picked Loria.

“I got to know him last year when my wife [NFL Network reporter Michelle Beisner] and I ran literally into him in Paris,” Buck e-mailed. “Sat with he and his wife at dinner and got the feel for his passion with his team and the personal connection he has to some of his key players. He told me he had hosted the artist formerly named Mike [Giancarlo Stanton] in Europe when he was just getting started. He loves the guy and proved it with the deal they agreed to.

“They have studs in the rotation (and hopefully health), made shrewd moves around the big contract, and I think they will win the East. He is a guy who has received more than his share of criticism and I think it will come full circle for him this year and in the next few to come.

“He got killed for dismantling that team that didn't fit together, and while he saved money, I still think that took guts after the opening of the new stadium. So I just think his passion and those moves pay off in 2015.”

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sport...#storylink=cpy

[MiamiHomer]

Not Marlins related but here's a vine of Soler, Baez and Bryant going back to back to back for the Cubs. They gon be good soon.

https://vine.co/v/O9zq32HqXQu

[Big Z]

Reid Brignac is looking absolutely amazing thus far in spring. I think he said that he adjusted his stance over the offseason and it seems to be paying off. Would be interesting to see if he continues to play this way. Adding Brignac to a bench of Ichiro, Baker, Mathis and possibly Kelly would be difficult because it is too lefty heavy, and I think Kelly makes the team based on his versatility.

[Namaste]

Deitrich

[marlinsfan24]

6-1 without Hech, 0-2 with him. If the team doesn't get the message now, it'll be a long season.

[HUGG]

lol